‘Increased vigilance’ promised at ‘Clean Your Hands’ Launch

04/09/2007

Gloucestershire Primary Care Trust is aiming to build on the downward trend in healthcare associated infections within its Community Hospitals when it launches year two of the ‘Clean your Hands’ campaign on Wednesday 5 September.
 
As part of their high profile campaign, nurses will be posting large new ‘stop’ signs at the entrances to local hospitals to remind patients, NHS staff and visitors to wash their hands before entering ward areas. 

To support improved standards, Community Hospital matrons will also be carrying out audits into hand hygiene to ensure procedures are being followed and ‘spot checks’ to encourage vigilance at all times.

Director of Infection Prevention and Control, Dr Philippa Moore explained:

“The Infection Prevention and Control Team believe that preventing infection is everyone’s responsibility.”

“We share the belief that a reduction in healthcare associated infection benefits the whole community - patients, visitors and staff in terms of wellbeing and increased confidence in the care provided by the NHS.”

Modern Matron at Dilke Memorial Hospital and Lydney and District Hospital, Mandy Hampton said:

“We know how important it is to keep up the fight and prevent the spread of infection wherever possible.”

“Although the launch of the campaign will help to promote the importance of good hygiene and good practice, we know that it is just part of the solution.”

“We are also committed to the highest cleaning standards to ensure that our patients have the confidence that we are doing everything we can to help them to recover in a safe and secure environment.” 

Other ‘Clean Your Hands’ activity includes hand hygiene training and education sessions, installation of alcohol hand gel in clinical areas, the introduction of ‘staff champions’ to encourage good practice and wide distribution of patient and visitor information leaflets. 

Inspection Teams will also be visiting each hospital this year.